Tarlac State University, through the Office of Gender and Development (OGAD), kickstarted its 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women on November 25, 2025.
With the theme “UNITEd for a VAW-Free Philippines,” the campaign will run from November 25 to December 12, with a series of seminars and competitions prepared by OGAD for students and employees.
In a message, OGAD OIC Director Prof. Christine Janelle M. Santiago underscored the importance of the campaign to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment inside and outside the university.
“Every act of awareness means we want to break the cycle of abuse. We join this campaign because someone’s life, dignity, and future depend on the courage we show and the compassion we extend today,” Prof. Santiago said.
“Hindi lamang ito serye ng mga aktibidad kundi isang panawagan, isang pagsigaw para sa hustisya, at isang pangakong hindi tayo titigil hangga’t hindi nagiging ligtas ang bawat tahanan, pamayanan, at pamilya,” she added.
The opening program also marked the official launch of the TSU MOVE KATROPA Chapter (Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere and Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya).
The university-based organization, established in July 2025, is under the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC) and is composed of male teaching and non-teaching personnel advocating for gender equality and helping build violence-free communities.
Moreover, Vice President for Administration Atty. Gherold C. Benitez announced that the university, in partnership with OGAD and the TSU School of Law, will establish its first special court to handle cases related to sexual harassment and VAWC. This service will be offered to students and employees free of charge.
After the flag-raising ceremony, OGAD, together with students and employees, held a campus-wide march in support of a VAW-free Philippines.
From the official OGAD Facebook page, this year’s activities include a poster-making contest, infomercial competition, filmmaking competition, slogan-making contest, chalk art competition, spoken word poetry, and contemporary dance.
